Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 71:3

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 71:3
"Be thou my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort: thou hast given commandment to save me; for thou art my rock and my fortress."

I pondered how commandments are a protection to me. When I have broken commandments I have been in bondage of my own making. Keeping commandments have saved me from physical and mental destruction, and brought safety and peace. This reminds me of the story Elder Keetch once told in General Conference about a group of surfers and how they came to appreciate the barrier in place for their safety.

Day 3926

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 69:21

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 69:21
"They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink."

In family scriptures tonight we were going over the "Types or Symbols of Christ". This verse made me think of how many verses in the Old Testament spoke of Christ and how they were to recognize the Messiah when he came.

"They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink."
(Matthew 27:34)

"And one ran and filled a sponge full of vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink, saying, Let alone; let us see whether Elias will come to take him down."
(Mark 15:36)

"After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.
Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a sponge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth.
When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost."
(John 19:28-30)

Day 3925

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 66:18

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 66:18
"If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:"

We cannot hide the intent of our heart. The outward appearance and our words can be deceptive but the Lord truly knows who we are. If iniquity has residence in our heart the spirit cannot reside there too.

"But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart."
(1 Samuel 16:7)

"Yea, I tell thee, that thou mayest know that there is none else save God that knowest thy thoughts and the intents of thy heart."
(Doctrine and Covenants 6:16)

"And Ammon said: Yea, and he looketh down upon all the children of men; and he knows all the thoughts and intents of the heart; for by his hand were they all created from the beginning."
(Alma 18:32)

Day 3924

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 63:7

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 63:7
"Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice."

This imagery feels so safe. It reminded me of all the scriptures when Christ says he is as a hen that would gather her chickens under her wings. Sadly, it's often phrased that they would not. There is safety if we allow ourselves to be gathered and protected.

"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!"
(Matthew 23:37) (see Luke 13:34)

"O ye people of these great cities which have fallen, who are descendants of Jacob, yea, who are of the house of Israel, how oft have I gathered you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and have nourished you.
And again, how oft would I have gathered you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, yea, O ye people of the house of Israel, who have fallen; yea, O ye people of the house of Israel, ye that dwell at Jerusalem, as ye that have fallen; yea, how oft would I have gathered you as a hen gathereth her chickens, and ye would not.
O ye house of Israel whom I have spared, how oft will I gather you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, if ye will repent and return unto me with full purpose of heart."
(3 Nephi 10:4-6)

"Who will gather his people even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, even as many as will hearken to my voice and humble themselves before me, and call upon me in mighty prayer."
(Doctrine and Covenants 29:2)

Day 3923

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 59:16-17

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 59:16-17
"But I will sing of thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning: for thou hast been my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble.
Unto thee, O my strength, will I sing: for God is my defence, and the God of my mercy."

This made me think of my favorite hymn that I have been listening to almost every day since Oct 2025 General Conference. It's called "Jesus is the Way". I will even wake in the morning hearing it playing in my head.

Jesus is the Way
Our Savior, Jesus Christ, has said,
“Come in, oh, come ye in through me.”
By other paths we are misled;
Through Him we are made free.

Come in through Him,
Into the fold of God.Our Savior, Jesus, is the Way—
The Savior of the world.

God’s servants, teaching in His name,
Will live His gospel strong and true,
For did not Jesus do the same?
He taught and lived it too.

Come in through Him,
Into the fold of God.
Our Savior, Jesus, is the Way—
The Savior of the world.

Our Savior is the precious tree
That bears the fruit so sweet and pure.
His truth that makes us ever free
Unchanging will endure.

Come in through Him,
Into the fold of God.
Our Savior, Jesus, is the Way—
The Savior of the world.

Day 3922

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 56:4-6

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 56:4-6
"In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.
Every day they wrest my words: all their thoughts are against me for evil.
They gather themselves together, they hide themselves, they mark my steps, when they wait for my soul."

I pondered on what type of person would wait to destroy the soul of another? They would have to be a very ill person with that objective. If you want to destroy someone for a belief in God, that makes them happy, why would you want to destroy their happiness? How would destroying their soul possibly benefit you? Is it because they want others to be as miserable as them? I just don't understand it. Just like I never could understand how Saul continually sought David's life. When all they want is to destroy another, then they're very ill indeed.

Day 3921

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 53:2-3

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 53:2-3
"God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God.
Every one of them is gone back: they are altogether become filthy; there is none that doeth good, no, not one."

God looking down from heaven can see much wickedness among the children of men, but also those that love Him. There are those that are doing good, and helping to bring His lost sheep unto Him. I pondered on how we are preparing for the Lord's Second Coming, and being the Zion people we need to be to receive Him.

Day 3920

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 50:3-6

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 50:3-6
"Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about him.
He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that he may judge his people.
Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.
And the heavens shall declare his righteousness: for God is judge himself. Selah."

On this Christmas Eve when we celebrate the Lord Jesus' birth, I reflected on how time wise I am closer to His Second Coming than his birth. How different that event will be compared to an innocent holy baby lying in a manger. Wise men still seek Him, and that gathering of saints includes me too.

Merry Christmas

Day 3919

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 46:10

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 46:10
"Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth."

I pondered on how "be still" can also mean you are "at rest". There is a peace and comfort to know and trust God. The soul is a rest and not flittering around every wind of doctrine to find truth.

"Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;"
(Ephesians 4:13-14)

"President Joseph F. Smith said: “To my mind, it means entering into the knowledge and love of God, having faith in his purpose and in his plan, to such an extent that we know we are right, and that we are not hunting for something else, we are not disturbed by every wind of doctrine, or by the cunning and craftiness of men who lie in wait to deceive. We know of the doctrine that it is of God, and we do not ask any questions of anybody about it; they are welcome to their opinions, to their ideas and to their vagaries. The man who has reached that degree of faith in God that all doubt and fear have been cast from him, he has entered into ‘God’s rest’” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph F. Smith [1998], 56).
To find rest unto our souls includes peace of mind and heart, which is the result of learning and following the doctrine of Christ and becoming Christ’s extended hands in serving and helping others. Faith in Jesus Christ and following His teachings give us a firm hope, and this hope becomes a solid anchor to our souls. We can become steadfast and immovable. We can have lasting inner peace; we can enter into the rest of the Lord. Only if we turn away from light and truth will a hollow feeling of emptiness, like the tree’s, occupy the innermost chambers of our souls, and we even might attempt to fill that emptiness with things of no lasting value."
(Elder Per G. Malm, "Rest unto Your Souls", Oct 2010 General Conference)

"And again, be patient in tribulation until I come; and, behold, I come quickly, and my reward is with me, and they who have sought me early shall find rest to their souls. Even so. Amen."
(Doctrine and Covenants 54:10)

Day 3918

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 45:17

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 45:17
"I will make thy name to be remembered in all generations: therefore shall the people praise thee for ever and ever."

The other evening during family scriptures I remarked how if Jesus was just a rabbi there is no way thousands of years later people would still speak of him. He was the Son of God.

Day 3917

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 40:13

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 40:13
"Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me: O LORD, make haste to help me."

I thought about how the Lord is hastening his work. That the days are shortened for our sakes.

"And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened."
(Matthew 24:22)

This made me ponder on how I am part of the Lord's work, not only is He shortening the days for me, He's also hastening to deliver and help me when I call.

Day 3916

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 37:16

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 37:16
"A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked."

I have to agree with that. I would much rather have sufficient for my needs than untold money. For it is the love of money that can drive man to the sin of greed and pride so quickly. Of course there are wealthy people that have overcome that, and that I am sure is a great struggle for them and their families.

Day 3915

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 34:4

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 34:4
"I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears."

This reminds me of a conversation I had the other day with someone with crippling anxiety. They told me how praying and reading scriptures daily has blessed them in being able to manage their fears. This was something they were not faithful in doing before. Of course, when medication is needed that should be discussed with a doctor. In fact they told me how after they could cope through prayer and daily scripture reading the spirit directed them to seek medical help. That makes so much sense to me. For I have experienced my burden lifted from turning them over to the Lord. Then with that mental pressure taken I could receive the inspiration needed to solve the problem ahead.

Day 3914

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 33:12

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 33:12
"Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance."

I pondered on how you cannot place into law or force a nation to be followers of God. The nations are blessed that follow the Lord only by their own free will and choice. The Lord looketh on the heart, and not forced compliance. If it were by law you could have a nation that calls themselves Christian, but their hearts are far from Him.

Day 3913

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 30:5

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 30:5
"For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning."

I love this Joseph Smith translation even better.

For his anger kindleth against the wicked; they repent, and in a moment it is turned away; and they are in his favour, and he giveth them life; therefore, weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.
(JST Psalms 30:5)

What a difference the role of repentance plays. For truly joy coming in the morning when forgiveness has been given.

Day 3912

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 27:14

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 27:14
"Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD."

I pondered on how we are waiting on the Lord right now. We are waiting for His Second Coming. While we wait we do not sit and do nothing. The time is hastening, and the gathering is the most pressing and urgent it has ever been. As we gather people on both sides of the veil we are strengthen to the task. I marveled again tonight as I worked on my family history. The ability to find and record complete families has been hastened to an amazing speed. What a glorious time to live in.

Day 3911

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 23:4

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 23:4
"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me."

The older I get the more this verse means to me. I don't need to be dying to have felt the shadow of death surrounding me. It is wherever there has been darkness of sorrow around me. I know that I do not walk alone, for the Lord is with me.

Day 3910

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 19:12

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 19:12
"Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults."

The words "secret faults" made me think of having favorite sins we don't want to let go of. How we have to be willing to do so in order to know God. I am reminded of Aaron teaching the gospel to king Lamoni, and then the king humbled prayed to give away all his sins.

"O God, Aaron hath told me that there is a God; and if there is a God, and if thou art God, wilt thou make thyself known unto me, and I will give away all my sins to know thee, and that I may be raised from the dead, and be saved at the last day. And now when the king had said these words, he was struck as if he were dead."
(Alma 22:18)

During the time he appeared to be dead, he was sleeping in the Lord and came to have a powerful witness of Him. I am also reminded of the words of President Nelson

"What does it mean to overcome the world? It means overcoming the temptation to care more about the things of this world than the things of God. It means trusting the doctrine of Christ more than the philosophies of men. It means delighting in truth, denouncing deception, and becoming “humble followers of Christ.” It means choosing to refrain from anything that drives the Spirit away. It means being willing to “give away” even our favorite sins."
(Russell M. Nelson, “Overcome the World and Find Rest," Oct 2022 General Conference)

Day 3909

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 18:2

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 18:2
"The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower."

During our recent stake conference our visiting Area Seventy mentioned years before he was interviewed when they were looking for a new Stake Presidency. I forget what calling he had at the time. One question he was asked is to explain his relationship with the Lord. At the time he had a personal relationship with God in prayer, but was stumped on how to explain his relationship with our Savior Jesus Christ. He told them he would have to do more thinking on that. Since then I've thought of that and have had many different conversations with myself on how I would explain my personal relationship with the Savior. As I read this verse I see listed many of the areas I too would say.

Day 3908

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 15:1-2

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 15:1-2
"LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill?
He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart."

This made me think of temple recommend interviews. We do our best to make sure those that go into the tabernacle or the house of the Lord are upright, righteous and honest. Sadly, there will always be those that will lie and try to cover their sins. They are not deceiving the Lord though. I would not want to stand in their shoes on judgment day. For they will not abide the Lord's coming.

Day 3907

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 10:2, 6

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 10:2, 6
"The wicked in his pride doth persecute the poor: let them be taken in the devices that they have imagined.
He hath said in his heart, I shall not be moved: for I shall never be in adversity."

I pondered on why the wicked hated the poor? The poor would have no power over them. As I was going over this and other chapters I realized to see the poor is to fear being poor. That is why in their pride they say "I shall never be in adversity." They puff themselves up that they are better, and what better way to show that than to oppress the poor for their poverty. The wicked are also liars to themselves. They do not want to think that "there but for the grace of God go I."

Day 3906

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 9:9-10

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 9:9-10
"The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.
And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee."

This verse made me think of this.

"And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children."
(Isaiah 54:13)

I think about how important a sense of peace and safety is. How the Lord can be, and has been, a refuge to me in the midst of the storm. A refuge where I find peace and comfort, and the inspiration needed to help my situation. It all seems so simple, but it really is.

Day 3905

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 4:8

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 4:8
"I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety."

Since I was a little child I've said my prayers each night. I could not rest until I had prayed. I have always felt protected while I sleep.

Day 3904

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 2:10

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 2:10
"Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth."

Before reading in Psalms I read this in the Book of Mormon.

"O be wise; what can I say more?"
(Jacob 6:12)

What does it mean to be wise, and in particular spiritually?

"As a Church and a people it behooves us to be wise, and to seek to know the will of God, and then be willing to do it; for “blessed is he that heareth the word of the Lord, and keepeth it,” say the Scriptures. Watch and pray always,” says our Savior, “that ye may be accounted worthy to escape the things that are to come on the earth, and to stand before the Son of Man.” If Enoch, Abraham, Moses, and the children of Israel, and all God’s people were saved by keeping the commandments of God, we, if saved at all, shall be saved upon the same principle. As God governed Abraham, Isaac and Jacob as families, and the children of Israel as a nation; so we, as a Church, must be under His guidance if we are prospered, preserved and sustained. Our only confidence can be in God; our only wisdom obtained from Him; and He alone must be our protector and safeguard, spiritually and temporally, or we fall."
(Joseph Smith, Jr. "Teaching of the Prophet Joseph Smith", p.253)

Day 3903

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 42:10-13

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 42:10-13
"And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.
Then came there unto him all his brethren, and all his sisters, and all they that had been of his acquaintance before, and did eat bread with him in his house: and they bemoaned him, and comforted him over all the evil that the LORD had brought upon him: every man also gave him a piece of money, and every one an earring of gold.
So the LORD blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning: for he had fourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she asses.
He had also seven sons and three daughters."

I love the ending of the story of Job. Job prays for his friends that spoke wrong in the Lord's eyes. That is forgiveness. Then Job's brothers and sisters all gather around him and comfort him. They each give him some money and gold. Then Job is blessed in the end double the sheep, camels, oxen, and asses then before. As for children, his is blessed again with the same number. Now for the eternities Job has 14 sons and 6 daughters, for the ones that died as still his too.

Day 3902

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 38:4

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 38:4
"Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding."

This made me think of our "Come, Follow Me: reading for this week. How President Joseph F. Smith saw in vision the redemption of the dead after the crucifixion of the Savior and his appearance in the spirit world. Christ organized from the righteous his forces, and appointed messengers with power and authority to preach the gospel to the dead.

“For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;
Which sometime were disobedient, when once the long-suffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.” (1 Peter 3:18—20.)
“For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.” (1 Peter 4:6.)

It also goes on to state how some reserved for our day were chosen in the beginning. This would be when God laid the foundations of the earth, while we were in the pre-existence.

"The Prophet Joseph Smith, and my father, Hyrum Smith, Brigham Young, John Taylor, Wilford Woodruff, and other choice spirits who were reserved to come forth in the fulness of times to take part in laying the foundations of the great latter-day work,
Including the building of the temples and the performance of ordinances therein for the redemption of the dead, were also in the spirit world.
I observed that they were also among the noble and great ones who were chosen in the beginning to be rulers in the Church of God.
Even before they were born, they, with many others, received their first lessons in the world of spirits and were prepared to come forth in the due time of the Lord to labor in his vineyard for the salvation of the souls of men."
(Doctrine and Covenants 138:53-56)

Day 3901

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 34:35-37

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 34:35-37
"Job hath spoken without knowledge, and his words were without wisdom.
My desire is that Job may be tried unto the end because of his answers for wicked men.
For he addeth rebellion unto his sin, he clappeth his hands among us, and multiplieth his words against God."

I can't even imagine judging, much less saying these words to a good man that had suffered so much loss. No wonder the Lord spoke these words to Joseph Smith, while held prisoner in the Liberty jail.

"Thou art not yet as Job; thy friends do not contend against thee, neither charge thee with transgression, as they did Job."
(Doctrine and Covenants 121:10)

Day 3900

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 32:9

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 32:9
"But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding."

I pondered on how the spirit has taught me things I had no knowledge of before hand. As I reflected on several experiences I thought about many great inventions even just in my lifetime. I then thought of President Nelson and how he was instrumental in creating the first heart-lung machine, so they could perform surgery on the heart. Then he was instructed through inspiration on how to perform those surgeries.

"During the early pioneering days of surgery of the heart,” a stake patriarch from southern Utah suffered much because of a failing heart. He pleaded for help, thinking that his condition resulted from a damaged but repairable valve in his heart.
Extensive evaluation revealed that he had two faulty valves. While one could be helped surgically, the other could not. Thus, an operation was not advised. He received this news with deep disappointment.
Subsequent visits ended with the same advice. Finally, in desperation, he spoke to me with considerable emotion: “Dr. Nelson, I have prayed for help and have been directed to you. The Lord will not reveal to me how to repair that second valve, but He can reveal it to you. Your mind is so prepared. If you will operate upon me, the Lord will make it known to you what to do. Please perform the operation that I need, and pray for the help that you need.”
His great faith had a profound effect upon me. How could I turn him away again? Following a fervent prayer together, I agreed to try. In preparing for that fateful day, I prayed over and over again, but still did not know what to do for his leaking tricuspid valve. Even as the operation commenced, my assistant asked, “What are you going to do for that?”
I said, “I do not know.”
We began the operation. After relieving the obstruction of the first valve, we exposed the second valve. We found it to be intact but so badly dilated that it could no longer function as it should. While examining this valve, a message was distinctly impressed upon my mind: Reduce the circumference of the ring. I announced that message to my assistant. “The valve tissue will be sufficient if we can effectively reduce the ring toward its normal size.”
But how? We could not apply a belt as one would use to tighten the waist of oversized trousers. We could not squeeze with a strap as one would cinch a saddle on a horse. Then a picture came vividly to my mind, showing how stitches could be placed—to make a pleat here and a tuck there—to accomplish the desired objective. I still remember that mental image—complete with dotted lines where sutures should be placed. The repair was completed as diagrammed in my mind. We tested the valve and found the leak to be reduced remarkably. My assistant said, “It’s a miracle.”
I responded, “It’s an answer to prayer."
("Discovering a Surgical First, Russell M. Nelson and Tricuspid Valve Annuloplasty" by Austin A. Robinson and Curtis T. Hunter, BYU Studies)

Day 3899

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 29:16

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 29:16
"I was a father to the poor: and the cause which I knew not I searched out."

This reminded me of the principles of self-reliance and the humanitarian efforts of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is not enough to help the poor by feeding and clothing them. What is truly needed is a help up so they can provide for themselves, and in turn help others. I love how the "Light the World Giving Machines" have donations that do just that. Chickens are not for people eat. They are to raise and sell eggs, and continue to replenish their flocks. Goats are not to eat. They are to raise and start a business to sell milk and cheese. There are seeds to grow crops to feed themselves and begin a business. Helping people to sustain themselves and their families effects generations.

Find a location near you. 

Day 3898

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 27:6

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 27:6
"My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go: my heart shall not reproach me so long as I live."

This made me think of the iron rod, the word of God, and holding fast to it.

"And it came to pass that I beheld that the rod of iron, which my father had seen, was the word of God, which led to the fountain of living waters, or to the tree of life; which waters are a representation of the love of God; and I also beheld that the tree of life was a representation of the love of God."
(1 Nephi 11:25)

The love of God goes both ways. God's love for his children, and our love for God. The heart is in all of this. Our heart will know if we are steadfast and true.

"And I said unto them that it was the word of God; and whoso would hearken unto the word of God, and would hold fast unto it, they would never perish; neither could the temptations and the fiery darts of the adversary overpower them unto blindness, to lead them away to destruction."
(1 Nephi 15:24)

Day 3897

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 22:3,5, 21-23

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 22:3,5, 21-23
Is it any pleasure to the Almighty, that thou art righteous? or is it gain to him, that thou makest thy ways perfect?
Is not thy wickedness great? and thine iniquities infinite?
Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee.
Receive, I pray thee, the law from his mouth, and lay up his words in thine heart.
If thou return to the Almighty, thou shalt be built up, thou shalt put away iniquity far from thy tabernacles.

Eliphaz the Temanite words to Job are rather shocking. Here Job is suffering the loss of children, and his great wealth and being told how wicked he is. That God doesn't take pleasure in our being righteous. Then he is told he needs to acquaint himself with God and his laws. Pray, read the scriptures, and put away iniquity. Talk about being judged unrighteously. I loved how in the next chapters Job is humble, and doesn't point at the wrong judgment being placed on him, but builds on what is true. For we can always do more to be acquainted with God. Prayer and repentance are a daily thing.

Day 3896

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 19:25-26

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 19:25-26
"For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:
And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:"

I love how Job bears his testimony to his friends. They had not brought words of comfort and had judged him and his children as being wicked, but Job knew the truth. He knew through it all that his redeemer Jesus Christ was there for him. He believed in the resurrection to come. How comforting that though must have been, because that means he would see his children too. There was life after death. First and foremost was his desire to see God.

Day 3895

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 16:2, 4-5

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 16:2, 4-5
"I have heard many such things: miserable comforters are ye all.
I also could speak as ye do: if your soul were in my soul’s stead, I could heap up words against you, and shake mine head at you.
But I would strengthen you with my mouth, and the moving of my lips should assuage your grief."

Job calls his friends miserable comforters. It made me reflect on our baptismal covenant, to mourn with those that mourn, and comfort those in need of comfort.

"And it came to pass that he said unto them: Behold, here are the waters of Mormon (for thus were they called) and now, as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light;
Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life—"
(Mosiah18:8-9)

Day 3894

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 14:4

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 14:4
"Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one."

Wish I had this verse a few days ago. I had a discussion with someone regarding an issue they were having with an elderly relative. The elderly person was very religious but with some dementia. The family member was trying to clean out their food storage of rotted and expired food. The elderly person thought they needed it all because the end of the world was any day now. The family member not being religious didn't know how to address this. I told them don't challenge them on the second coming being any day now. Distract them in preparing their very best for it instead. The Lord's house is a house of order.

Don't challenge their feelings that they need their food storage. Agree it's import, but distract them in offering their very best. I told them about the story of Elijah and widow of Zarephath. How God can multiple what we have with faith. The widow's flour was not rotted or spoiled, the oil was not rancid, both were whole and able to nourish Elijah, the widow, and her son throughout the famine. If the Lord was to multiple what you had, would you want to multiple something expired, or something eatable? We should offer and store our very best. Get them involved in setting up the guidelines. What is an acceptable time frame after the best buy and expiration date? What type of cans are acceptable to eat. Give them more control so they don't have to feel you will get rid of everything on them. Sometimes rotating is not eating but replacing what was bad with good, so make sure to bring in new items to take their place. If they won't let you throw out the bad then make a special area for expired items until they are ready to let it go. The Lord is not going to make something unclean into clean when we had stewardship over what was stored in that place. We need to be wise and faithful stewards and put our house in order.

Day 3893

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 12:12-13

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 12:12-13
"With the ancient is wisdom; and in length of days understanding.
With him is wisdom and strength, he hath counsel and understanding."

Today is Thanksgiving and with it comes preparing a family dinner. I noticed in the last couple days I was telling my adult children things I took for granted and didn't realize they didn't know. Like putting a frozen turkey in a tub of cold water to defrost it. They were thinking it would need to go in hot water. It's little things that we gain time and experience in. That get handed down generation after generation if we are lucky. I always loved listening to older people's conversations when I was a kid. I have an old soul and love stories of days gone by. I also appreciated their wisdom and knowledge. Now I find my generation is the older generation.

Day 3892

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 8:4, 6

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 8:4, 6
"If thy children have sinned against him, and he have cast them away for their transgression;
If thou wert pure and upright; surely now he would awake for thee, and make the habitation of thy righteousness prosperous."

A different friend of Job's, Bildad the Shunhite, now shocks me with his words. How did I not see or understand before how terrible what he said was? Again Job is being told his children that died were wicked. Then I noticed another misconception that only the righteous are able to prosper. If you think being righteous will only bring you sunshine and roses you are sadly mistaken. Everyone has an equal opportunity for trials in their lives. Like somehow having lost everything proves Job was not a righteous man. The only promise I have in life is if I lean on the Lord he will walk beside me, and carry me, and not leave me alone. He will give me that peace that passeth understanding, even in the midst of the storm. I like how Job set the record straight.

"This is one thing, therefore I said it, He destroyeth the perfect and the wicked."
(Job 9:22)

Day 3891

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 6:14, 25

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 6:14, 25
"To him that is afflicted pity should be shewed from his friend; but he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty.
How forcible are right words! but what doth your arguing reprove?"

As I am reading Job I want to learn what not to say to someone that is grieving and experiencing loss. I don't want to be like Job's friends, but sometimes at first glance I agree with them. I want to understand this. There is reason to not be like them.

"Thou art not yet as Job; thy friends do not contend against thee, neither charge thee with transgression, as they did Job."
(Doctrine and Covenants 121:10)

As I was looking at Eliphaz's words, to find what stung Job, this thought rather horrified me.

"Remember, I pray thee, who ever perished, being innocent? or where were the righteous cut off?
Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same.
By the blast of God they perish, and by the breath of his nostrils are they consumed."
(Job 4:7-9)

Is Job's friend Eliphaz basically saying God killed Job's children because they were wicked? If you are innocent you never suffer trials in life? That though is pretty eye-opening. Wow, just Wow. 

Day 3890

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 1:12

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 1:12
"And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD."

As I was reading the conversation between the Lord and Job it made me think of the pre-existence, and council in Heaven. Satan or Lucifer knew the plan and would have been there before his rebellion. I wondered if some of these conversations happened before or after? One thing is for sure, we are all here on this earth to be tried and tested. We can do everything right and still have harm come upon us. The difference is who we turn to during the dark times of our lives. If we turn to God we will be embraced and comforted and given strength to endure. If we turn away from God we perish and do not have peace. All of us are Job. The challenge is being able to say "The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord."

The other thing I pondered on was Satan does have power. The footnote to the word power says "Probation, Probationary". The fact that we are mortals upon this earth in a probationary state means we are allowed to be tried and tested. Satan has power on this earth only as the Lord permits and that we give to him by yielding to his temptations. The question is "Do we allow trials to draw us closer to God or further away?"

"And we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them;"
(Abraham 3:25)

Day 3889

Today's Favorite Verse: Esther 9:20-22, 26

Today's Favorite Verse: Esther 9:20-22, 26
"And Mordecai wrote these things, and sent letters unto all the Jews that were in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, both nigh and far,
To stablish this among them, that they should keep the fourteenth day of the month Adar, and the fifteenth day of the same, yearly,
As the days wherein the Jews rested from their enemies, and the month which was turned unto them from sorrow to joy, and from mourning into a good day: that they should make them days of feasting and joy, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor.
Wherefore they called these days Purim after the name of Pur. Therefore for all the words of this letter, and of that which they had seen concerning this matter, and which had come unto them,"

I wondered if the Jews today honor Purim as a Jewish Holiday? I was happy to see they still do. They exchange gifts of food and drink, make donations of charity to the poor. They eat a celebratory meal with alcoholic beverages known as mishteh. There is a public reading of the scrolls of Esther. There are additions to the daily prayers. Some also apply henna. Some other customs are to wear masks and costumes with public celebrations and parades. It sounds like a very happy and joyous time.

I wondered when Purim was this year. I found it fell at sunset 13th March and ended nightfall the 14th of March. In 2026 it will fall between sunset 2nd March to nightfall 3rd March.

Day 3888

Today's Favorite Verse: Esther 6:1

Today's Favorite Verse: Esther 6:1
"On that night could not the king sleep, and he commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles; and they were read before the king."

I love how the Lord will bring to people's remembrance situations or understanding at exactly the right time. The king finds that nothing had been done to reward Mordecai for saving his life. Then the king speaks to Haman (who had come with the desire to kill Mordecai) and asks what should be done to the man he delighteth to honor. Haman was arrogant enough to think the king spoke to honor him, and had no idea he was speaking of Mordecia. What Haman says should be done is exactly what the king has Haman do for Mordecai. All of this is setting the stage for Esther to soon reveal herself a Jew and to save them. I think about how perfect the timing of the Lord is.

Day 3887

Today's Favorite Verse: Esther 3:5-6

Today's Favorite Verse: Esther 3:5-6
"And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath.
And he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they had shewed him the people of Mordecai: wherefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai."

Haman was not just wicked because of his pride, he was evil. To be wicked you are morally wrong in a principle. To be evil you have a plan or passion to hurt someone. In this case because Mordecai would not bow down to him he plotted to kill all Jews. With Haman I see the warning to be aware of pride, that can grow into revenge and pure evil.

Day 3886

Today's Favorite Verse: Nehemiah 10:31

Today's Favorite Verse: Nehemiah 10:31
"And if the people of the land bring ware or any victuals on the sabbath day to sell, that we would not buy it of them on the sabbath, or on the holy day: and that we would leave the seventh year, and the exaction of every debt."

This reminded me of when I was a kid and the stores would close on Sunday. I actually think there were laws against them being open. Slowly over the years that began to change. I'm not really sure what stores are closed now. I actually don't go shopping on Sunday to find out. Which actually is the point. If people kept the Sabbath day holy and didn't shop, there would be no desire for store to be open in the first place.

“I was in another stake, also in a reorganization program, and another brother was considered for one of the highest positions; and when we asked him of his occupation, he said he was a grocer by trade. ‘Well, most of the stores keep open on the Sabbath. Do you?’ ‘We lock our store on Sunday,’ he said. ‘But how can you compete with these people who are open seven days a week?’ ‘We compete. At least we get along very well,’ was his reply. ‘But would not the Sabbath be your biggest day?’ ‘Yes,’ he answered, ‘we would probably sell twice as much on the Sabbath as we would on an average day, but we get along without it, and the Lord has been kind; he has been gracious; he has been good.’ … And I could not refrain from saying, ‘God bless you, my faithful brother. The Lord will not be unmindful of these seeming sacrifices. Your dollars are clean. They will surely not hinder you in finding your way into the kingdom of God.
We note that in our Christian world in many places we still have business establishments open for business on the sacred Sabbath. We are sure the cure of this lies in ourselves, the buying public. Certainly the stores and business houses would not remain open if we, the people, failed to purchase from them.”
(Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Spencer W. Kimball, Chapter 16: The Sabbath-A Delight)

Day 3885

Today's Favorite Verse: Nehemiah 8:8-10

Today's Favorite Verse: Nehemiah 8:8-10
"So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading."

"gave the sense" = gave a commentary by the power of the Holy Ghost

As the scriptures were read to the people it was given distinctly and with commentary. It was so the people could truly be taught and understand. The scriptures were opened up to the them by the Holy Ghost.

"Behold, my brethren, he that prophesieth, let him prophesy to the understanding of men; for the Spirit speaketh the truth and lieth not. Wherefore, it speaketh of things as they really are, and of things as they really will be; wherefore, these things are manifested unto us plainly, for the salvation of our souls. But behold, we are not witnesses alone in these things; for God also spake them unto prophets of old.
But behold, the Jews were a stiffnecked people; and they despised the words of plainness, and killed the prophets, and sought for things that they could not understand. Wherefore, because of their blindness, which blindness came by looking beyond the mark, they must needs fall; for God hath taken away his plainness from them, and delivered unto them many things which they cannot understand, because they desired it. And because they desired it God hath done it, that they may stumble."
(Jacob 4:13-14)

What the Lord had given was hard to understand. It is through the spirit that understanding comes. It's also important that those reading the scriptures and opening them up were men of God.

Day 3884